The Rich History of the First Congregational Church

After having been organized in 1819, the First Congregational Church opened its first church building in Sandusky in 1835. This church stood in Washington Park until it was razed in 1896. An article in the January 1920 issue of the Firelands Pioneer stated that in the early years, the First Congregational Church was considered a social center for Sandusky. It was the site of a number of meetings dealing with temperance and antislavery issues. At a church meeting held on August 16, 1847, resolutions denouncing slavery were introduced by Moors Farwell, and passed unanimously. 

Rev. N.W. Fisher was minister of the First Congregational Church in 1849, when a cholera epidemic swept through Sandusky. Rev. Fisher died from cholera on July 30, 1849. He was buried at Oakland Cemetery along with two other local ministers who also fell victim to cholera, Rev. Thomas Cooper and Rev. Hibbard P. Ward.

             

Under the leadership of Rev. Clarence Vincent, a new church building was constructed at what is now 431 Columbus Avenue. The builder was by George Philip Feick. (He would later also build Zion Lutheran Church across the street from the Congregational Church.)

From May 25 to May 28, 1919, the First Congregational Church celebrated its centennial services. A copy of the program from the centennial celebration is located in the church collections of the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center.

Now known as the First Congregational United Church of Christ, this church continues to play a vital role in the spiritual life of many local residents. Visit the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center to learn more about the history of churches in Sandusky and Erie County.

J. Rickers Mattresses and Upholstering

According to the 1880 U.S. Census, John Rickers was born about 1854 in Schleswig, Germany. By 1878, he and his family were residing in Sandusky, Ohio, where Mr. Rickers ran an upholstery business. He also manufactured and sold mattresses. In the picture above, the side of the building advertised corn husks for sale. Corn husks were traditionally used in furniture cushions and mattresses, so perhaps Mr. Rickers sold the excess husks if he purchased too many from area farmers.

In 1880, the Rickers family consisted of John Rickers, age 26, his wife Lizzie, age 22, and two infant sons, Albert and Oscar. Mrs. Rickers, the former Elizabeth Maul, gave birth to a daughter Verna in 1880. The Rickers upholstering business was at various locations, including 141 Columbus Avenue, 730 Water Street, and at the southeast corner of Reese and Franklin Streets. Mr. John Rickers died on February 1, 1895. His funeral took place at the family residence on Franklin Street on March 3, 1895. Friends and relatives came from Norwalk, Oak Harbor, Chicago, and Philadelphia, to pay their respects. Rev. C.A. Vincent, pastor of the First Congregational Church officiated at the funeral, and several vocal selections were sung by a quartet. Members of the local Odd Fellows Lodge closed the graveside services, held at Oakland Cemetery. Mr. John Rickers was survived by his wife and three children. For a few years, Mrs. Lizzie Rickers ran the upholstering business, but eventually it was taken over by John Rickers’ son Oscar. The final location of the upholstery business operated by Oscar Rickers was 604 West Market Street. Oscar Rickers died in 1943.